The boat-tail rear fender design that graced the Super Glide for 1971 originated on the 1970 Sportster. It didn't enjoy universal appeal, but it was offered again for 1971 Sportsters as a $60 option.

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The boat-tail rear fender wasn't entirely popularwith buyers.

Also optional was the red, white, and blue Sparkling America paint scheme, along with colors such as the Sparkling Turquoise worn by this example. None proved popular enough to warrant a return engagement for 1972.

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The 1971 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster cameequipped with an 883-cc engine.

Sportster engines still displaced 883-cc in 1971; for 1972, that would be boosted to 1,000-cc, a move prompted by the growing number of large-displacement Japanese bikes that were beginning to crowd Harley out of the big-bore sport market.

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The control panel of the Harley-Davidson XLHwas similar to other Sportsters.

To learn more about Harley-Davidson and other classic motorcycles, see: